Thurrock

Thurrock's population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in ethnicity, housing tenure and work life.

The population reached nearly 160,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Thurrock increased by 10%, from just over 143,000 to 158,000.

The addition of almost 15,000 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Thurrock was home to, on average, 6.9 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across Eastof England

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across Eastof England, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Disablity in Thurrock

This area saw Eastof England's second-largest fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability.

Across the region, only Welwyn Hatfield saw a greater fall in the proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability (from 7.3% to 6.4%).

In 2011, just under 1 in 18 (5.5%) in Thurrock reported being limited a little in their day-to-day activities, compared with 6.2% in 2001. The percentage who are considerably limited by a long-term health problem or disability increased from 3.1% to 3.8%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was lower than across Eastof England

Percentage of usual residents that that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

More homes with children

This area saw Eastof England's second-largest rise in the proportion of households with children.

Across the region, only St Albans saw a greater rise in the proportion of households with children (from 31% to 33%).

During this period, Thurrock overtook Stevenage and Huntingdonshire to become the Eastof England local authority area with the second-highest percentage of households with children.

In 2011, just over one in three (35%) households in Thurrock had at least one dependent child, compared with 32% in 2001. The percentage with no children decreased from 57% to 54%.

The proportion of households with children was higher than across Eastof England

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in Eastof England and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Thurrock residents that were unemployed increased from 3.4% to 5.4% in the decade to 2011.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (57%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 59% in 2001. The percentage of Thurrock residents that were self-employed increased from 7.1% to 8.9%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased faster here than in any other local authority district across Eastof England. As a result, this area had the region’s third highest proportion of unemployed people.

Ipswich had the region's next highest proportion of unemployed people (5.4%), while the proportion was 4.5% in Havering.

The rate of unemployment in Thurrock increased by 2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Thurrock, Eastof England and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in Thurrock

The number of people in Thurrock from the White ethnic groups remained close to 140,000 between the last two seasons. This represents a change from 95% to 86% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by more than the average across Eastof England (from 95% to 90%) and the average across England (from 91% to 85%).

The number of people in Thurrock from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups increased from just under 1,700 in 2001 to about 12,000 in 2011 (from 1.2% to 7.8%). The number of residents from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 3,400 to about 5,900 (from 2.4% to 3.8%).

About 3,100 people (0.9%) said they were from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed), up from just over 1,300 in 2001 (2.0%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in Thurrock decreased by 9.4 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, East and Thurrock by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in Thurrock at a faster rate than in nearby Havering.

In Thurrock, the proportion of private renting increased from 6.5% in 2001 to 14% in 2011. During the same period, the proportion in Havering increased from 5.5% to 11%.

Across Eastof England, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.6% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in Thurrock fell from 20% to 18%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 72% to 66%.

Private renting in Thurrock increased by 7.6 percentage points

Percentage of households in Thurrock, Eastof England and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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